Decision-making skills would be up there with the must-haves if pregnancy came with a job description. A myriad of them lead to a positive pregnancy test, and when you get the result, choosing an OB/GYN or other care provider is next up. In the early days and weeks of pregnancy, when birth, postpartum, and parenting can feel like abstract concepts, it’s not always obvious what to look for in a care provider. You might move on a recommendation from someone you know and trust, go with whoever Google Reviews tells you is the best-rated OB/GYN in your area, or happen upon an OB/GYN office close to your home, office, or commute and think, “Perfect.”

The truth, however, is that not all care providers are created equal for you. Finding an OB/GYN who will center your needs might look different in the first trimester than it does in the fourth, which invites you to do your research, understand which protocols or preferences might be polarizing, and above all else, move into a relationship with a care provider you trust. This might sound easier said than done, but the right care provider will usually emerge when you’re clear with yourself about what you need to feel safe and supported.

First, What Does an OB/GYN Do?

Let’s start with the basics - what is an OB/GYN doctor and what do they do? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) describes OB/GYNs as “doctors who have special training and education in women’s health care.” Some OB/GYNs specialize in obstetrics – pregnant people and babies – some specialize in reproductive health, and some are specialized in both fields. OB/GYNs or pregnancy doctors support people across the wide spectrum of what is considered ‘low-risk pregnancy’ and offer highly specialized medical care to those who experience higher risks or anomalies during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

Typically, OB/GYNs work as part of a group or clinic and provide prenatal care for the whole nine-ish months of pregnancy and up to six weeks postpartum. If you choose an OB/GYN as your care provider, you will plan to birth your baby in a hospital, or maybe a birthing center, as OB/GYNs do not typically support home births.

What to Look For When Choosing an OB/GYN

Before you get five hours deep into Reddit threads and comments on your local parenting groups about what to look for when choosing a gynecologist, it can be useful to think about your own expectations for birth support and how your life experiences or identity might shape them. It might be important to you to seek care from a provider that identifies in some of the same ways as you do. Maybe you’re drawn to a hospital or birth center and focus your search on care providers that serve those places. Depending on your birth preferences, having a direct conversation with a potential OB about things like interventions, abortion, anti-fat bias, and their c-birth-to-vaginal birth ratio can be illuminating. Oh – and don’t forget to check their accreditation and that they are in good standing with their licensing board.

Here are 5 things to consider when looking for an OB/GYN to support your throughout pregnancy:

1. Do they accept your health insurance? Before diving into personality and preferences, ensure the OB-GYN is in-network with your insurance provider. This minimizes out-of-pocket costs and simplifies billing. Most insurance companies offer online tools to search for in-network providers.

2. Reputation, credentials and experience. Look for an OB-GYN who is board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). This signifies they have met rigorous educational and training standards. It’s also important to consider the doctor's experience, especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy or specific concerns. Don’t forget to read patient reviews or ask your GP for referrals.

3. Does this OB/GYN deliver in the hospital you prefer? Find out which hospitals the OB-GYN has admitting privileges at. Research those hospitals to ensure they align with your birthing preferences (e.g., birthing center, labor and delivery amenities, NICU availability). It may be a good idea to consider the travel time to the doctor's office and hospital. Frequent appointments during pregnancy make location a practical factor.

4. Are you on the same page when it comes to personal beliefs? Pregnancy raises a lot of questions. Choose an OB-GYN or prenatal care provider who encourages open communication and addresses your concerns without judgment. Do you have specific desires for your birth experience? How do they handle pain during labor? Some may be more open to natural birth, water births, or minimal interventions, while others might have a more traditional approach.

5. Comfort level. This is a highly personal decision. During consultations, pay attention to how comfortable you feel with the OB-GYN's communication style. Do they explain things clearly? Do you feel heard and respected? You'll be spending a lot of time with this doctor, so a good bedside manner is crucial.

Other Types of Prenatal Care Providers

In a world of diminishing choices, the good news is that you have a choice in finding the right pregnancy care provider.

Midwife

Traditional and licensed midwives are highly trained in supporting low-risk, physiological birth. They can support birthing people at home or in the hospital; except for performing a c-section, they can do almost everything an OB/GYN can. Midwifery care is highly regulated in North America, and midwives practice under the scope of practice as defined by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

Perinatologist

If you or your baby experience medical complications during pregnancy, your OB/GYN may enlist support or transfer your care to a perinatologist. Think of a perinatologist as a super-specialized pregnancy doctor or OB/GYN. Perinatologists work with high-risk pregnancies and support people through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. If you require the care of a perinatologist, your OB/GYN or midwife will be able to recommend and refer you to one.

Doula

Doulas – also known as birth-workers or birth keepers – are highly trained, unlicensed professionals who provide continuous care and support to pregnant and postpartum people. They are not medical professionals but integral to a larger care team, working alongside midwives, OB/GYNs, perinatologists, and sometimes on their own. Doulas practice from a client-centered, informed-choice model, supporting people through the full spectrum of reproductive health.

Reproductive Endocrinologist

Concerned about fertility? Over the age of 35 and trying to conceive? Reproductive Endocrinologists have the expertise to identify and treat what might be holding things back. From hormonal tweaks to cutting-edge procedures like IVF, they'll create a personalized plan to make parenthood a reality. Plus, they offer options like egg freezing and sperm banking to keep your family-building options open, on your own terms. A reproductive endocrinologist may also suggest a fertility supplement to help support hormone levels.

We know there are a lot of choices to make when you’re thinking, trying or pregnant. One choice that we want to make simple is what kind of prenatal multivitamin to take to support pregnancy. Did you know medical specialists like doctors and OB/GYNs are women’s greatest influence in the decision to take a prenatal prior to conception? 63% of our customers said that their doctor or OB/GYN influenced their decision to start a prenatal before pregnancy.

Clearly setting your expectations and honoring your wishes and desires around pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, will lead you to a care provider that’s similarly aligned. And even if you make a choice and that choice has to change, remember that regardless of your care provider’s designation, what matters most is that you feel safe, supported, and affirmed.

References:

1. “About ACOG.” Www.acog.org, www.acog.org/womens-health/about-acog.
2. “About Midwives.” Midwife.org, 2020, www.midwife.org/About-Midwives.